Seasoned vegetarians know that, despite what the omnivorous may believe, getting enough protein without eating animal products is no problem.
And whether or not you're vegetarian, it can always be fun to mix up your meal rotation while focusing on hearty, plant-based protein that delights your tastebuds — without taking up too much of your precious time.
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Allow these 30 vegetarian one-pot and one-pan wonders to do the trick. They're a breeze to put together and every serving packs in at least 10 grams of protein.
1. Mole Poblano Chili
- 15 grams of protein
When you combine black and pinto beans in this creative chili recipe, the result is a dish that's super-creamy, hearty and, of course, protein-filled. You can't go wrong with a vegetarian cheese quesadilla on the side to dip into this lovely bowl of goodness.
Get the Mole Poblano Chili recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
2. Wild Mushroom and Baby Spinach Egg Skillet Recipe
- 19 grams of protein
When you wake up feeling ravenous, this 10-minute meal will feed and fill you quickly. And there's no reason not to include this recipe in your dinner rotation.
Get the Wild Mushroom and Baby Spinach Egg Skillet recipe and nutrition info here.
3. Instant Cajun Red Bean and Vermicelli Soup
- 13 grams of protein
This delicious soup boasts nutritional benefits and a high protein content, and this recipe is a great pick for lunch on the go. Layer all of the ingredients in a mason jar and heat it all up when you're ready to eat.
Get the Instant Cajun Red Bean and Vermicelli Soup recipe and nutrition info here.
4. One-Pot Pasta Con Broccoli
- 19 grams of protein
Another pasta dish that brings in flavor, variety, great textures and nutrients. Broccoli is a great way to get your fiber, so bring on the little trees.
Get the One-Pot Southwest Pasta recipe and nutrition info here from The Wholesome Dish.
5. Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup With White Beans and Lemon
- 11 grams of protein
What could be better for easy meal prep than the Instant Pot? This protein-packed and delicious recipe takes less than 20 minutes to cook and will keep you satisfied for hours.
Get the Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup With White Beans and Lemon recipe and nutrition info here.
6. Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- 21 grams of protein
This mac and cheese recipe offers a surprising amount of protein — 21 grams per serving. Feel free to sneak in extra veggies in this family-friendly dish by pureeing pumpkin, butternut squash or cauliflower.
Get the Instant Pot Mac and Cheese recipe and nutrition info from Love and Zest.
7. Curried Shakshuka
- 14 grams of protein
Create a beautiful and nutritious brunch at home with this fun shakshuka recipe that is sure to impress your guests — and their appetites. The curry powder gives this Maghrebi dish an unexpected (yet delicious) flavor and you'll feel satisfied all afternoon.
Get the Curried Shakshuka recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
8. Tofu Pumpkin Curry
- 19 grams of protein
When it comes to high-quality plant-based protein, tofu is a staple. This vegan pumpkin curry recipe provides a tasty and simple way to get all the great benefits from soybeans.
Get the Tofu Pumpkin Curry recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
9. One Pot Southwest Pasta
- 12 grams of protein
This easy pasta dish brings the heat thanks to a can of Rotel (tomatoes and green chiles) and taco seasoning. It comes together in a flash and makes for a great lunch tomorrow.
Get the One Pot Southwest Pasta recipe and nutrition info from The Wholesome Dish.
10. Cabbage Lentil Soup
- 11 grams of protein
Cabbage and lentil work together to create a satisfying soup, packed with fiber and plenty of vitamins and nutrients. Feel free to swap in chickpea miso if you'd like!
Get the Cabbage Lentil Soup recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
11. Lentil Kale Stew
- 27 grams of protein
Kale is a true superstar: It's packed with vitamins and protein and it can be prepared in endless ways. We like this lentil stew that'll keep both you and your wallet happy. The recipe developer at Eating Bird Food estimates that this dish comes out to $3 per serving.
Get the Lentil Kale Stew recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
12. Tofu Stir Fry
- 19 grams of protein
Sometimes you want to get creative in your culinary pursuits. Other times, you just want something quick and dependable. For when you need to whip up a dish without much fuss, try this protein-packed stir-fry. You can also round out your meal by adding rice of your choice, be it white, brown or cauliflower.
Get the Tofu Stir Fry recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
13. Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
- 21 grams of protein
When you're strapped for time, this soup is the recipe for you. The minestrone is a total set-it-and-forget-it type of meal — plop all of the ingredients into a slow cooker and let it all simmer for at least four hours.
Get the Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
14. Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Meal
- 22 grams of protein
Creamy and filling, butternut squash has a delicious texture and tons of nutritional benefits, including fiber, protein and beyond. Feel free to do a little prepping ahead of time by pre-chopping your veggies. This fun recipe calls for a tahini sauce that adds a unique flavor to traditional roasted vegetables. Plus, only one pan to clean sounds great to us.
Get the Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Meal recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
15. Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Tempeh
- 14 grams of protein
Because tempeh comes pre-cooked, all you have to do is chop it up and throw it in the slow cooker. With peas, veggies and a tangy sauce, you'll want to add this vegetarian one-pot meal to your weekly rotation.
Get the Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Tempeh recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
16. Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew
- 11 grams of protein
Slow cooker, Instant Pot or the stovetop? The choice is yours when it comes to this easy lentil and butternut squash stew. This one-pot wonder is brimming with fiber, vitamins, minerals and lots of protein.
Get the Butternut Squash Red Lentil Stew recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
17. Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole
- 14 grams of protein
Craving Mexican? Try this protein-packed casserole that boasts all of the creamy textures and scintillating flavors that you love. This one's a versatile recipe, ideal breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner. Whenever you decide to eat it, you'll be satiated thanks to the hefty amount of protein. This dish also happens to be gluten-free (way to go, quinoa!).
Get the Slow Cooker Cheesy Mexican Quinoa Casserole recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
18. One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff
- 19 grams of protein
Stroganoff is traditionally a meat-heavy dish, but this vegetarian alternative is just as delicious. Thanks to the mushroom, this stroganoff maintains just the right texture, and you can even amplify the protein by adding in tofu or chickpeas.
Get the One Pot Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
19. Easy Vegetarian Chili
- 19 grams of protein
Who says vegans and vegetarians can't enjoy the comforting flavor of chili? This bean-based recipe provides both the fiber and the protein you need for a balanced meal, and some delightfully unexpected ingredients, like peanut butter and cocoa powder, help create a robust, rich taste.
Get the Easy Vegetarian Chili recipe and nutrition info from Eating Bird Food.
20. White Bean and Lemon Soup
- 15 grams of protein
Beans can sometimes feel a little heavy, but the combination of white beans and lemon makes for a light and bright masterpiece. This fiber-filled soup just hits the spot. Vegans can make it dairy-free by swapping out parmesan for nutritional yeast.
Get the White Bean Soup recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
21. Spinach Artichoke Skillet Enchiladas
- 22 grams of protein
If your jam-packed calendar leaves little room for preparing a new dinner every night, well, you're going to want to make these enchiladas. Prep this dish on Sunday, and then pop it in the oven when you're readying to eat it during the week. This recipe is filled with protein and other good stuff, including spinach and artichoke, which offer iron, minerals and vitamins.
Get the Spinach Artichoke Skillet Enchiladas recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
22. Moroccan Split Pea Soup
- 13 grams of protein
While you might not be able to jet-set off to Marrakesh right now, you can bring some of the flavors to your dining room table with this inspired split pea soup. The combo of turmeric, garam masala and smoked paprika give this Moroccan soup flavor and loads of nutritional value.
Get the Moroccan Split Pea Soup recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
23. Tuscan Tortellini and Tomato Soup
- 17 grams of protein
The tomato and the beans add a nutritional punch to this classic Italian soup, and it all takes just 30 minutes to make. Might we suggest serving it alongside some warm, crusty bread?
Get the Tuscan Tortellini and Tomato Soup recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
24. White Bean Enchilada Soup
- 16 grams of protein
Here's a healthy way to enjoy those beloved enchiladas: The recipe creator recommends fresh cilantro, jalapeño for heat, a squeeze of lime juice for acidity and tortilla chips for crunch.
Get the White Bean Enchilada Soup recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
25. One-Pot Lasagna Soup
- 18 grams of protein
Lasagna is a staple in many households for good reason: It's filling and delicious. For a veggie version of this lasagna soup, you'll swap ground beef for white beans and mushroom, which will add great texture and all the protein one could hope for. To make it vegan, simply replace it with plant-based dairy alternatives.
Get the One-Pot Lasagna Soup recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
26. Sweet Potato Noodles With Tofu
- 15 grams of protein
Lemongrass, red curry paste and tons of umami will satisfy your cravings for the wonderful flavors of Thai cooking. The sweet potato noodles help round out this meal and will help you avoid the lethargy that tends to come from overdoing it on standard starchy noodles.
Get the Sweet Potato Noodles With Tofu recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
27. One-Pan Wild Rice and Cheesy Broccoli Casserole
- 18 grams of protein
For those days when you need the gooey, healing properties of cheese, this casserole will hit the spot. While, yes, it's a bit more indulgent than other one-pot recipes, it could be a big win for keto fans if you skip the rice. You can also add in other vegetables to bump the nutrients.
Get the One-Pan Wild Rice and Cheesy Broccoli Casserole recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
28. One-Pot Moroccan Quinoa
- 12 grams of protein
The best part about this dish is that it's totally customizable. Want some tofu? Add it in. How about veggie sausage? That works, too. Love some veggies more than others? Choose your favorites. You'll top it all off with caramelized lemons to bring out their sweetness and add complexity to the dish. Yum!
Get the One-Pot Moroccan Quinoa recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
29. Mushroom Fried Rice
- 15 grams of protein
Side dish or main event, this mushroom fried rice is an excellent go-to for vegetarians. Add as many eggs as you'd like for protein and a pinch of sugar for more flavor and a slight caramelization.
Get the Mushroom Fried Rice recipe and nutrition info from Dishing Out Health.
30. Instant Pot Risotto With Dried Mushrooms, Asparagus, Peas and Spring Onions
- 29 grams of protein
Technically speaking, this recipe has one meat component, but you can make it vegetarian by swapping chicken broth for veggie broth or water. We love the fact that this recipe calls for just two minutes of stirring — a luxury when you consider risotto typically requires constant babysitting.
Get the Instant Pot Risotto With Dried Mushrooms, Asparagus, Peas and Spring Onions recipe and nutrition info here.
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